Feels like I’ve been in Rarotonga for ages. The last 2 days have been jam packed with big star weaving workshops and a bit of down time to rejuvenate and reflect on this journey of star weaving across the Pacific. Last night, Merita (Punanga Tatuturu) and I were invited to a function for International Women’s Day 2016 at the residence of the New Zealand High Commissioner Nick Hurley and his wife Christine Hurley. I didn’t realise I was invited to speak, but hey, I did say to use me while I’m here on the island and that I wanted to experience as much as possible. I ended up feeling quite honoured, especially after hearing Christine Hurley speak about her life and travels. We can’t appreciate
It is so beautiful here in Rarotonga, Cook Islands I can’t explain it well enough. It’s like being home in Samoa for me, only smaller and with a Cook Island flavour. The flowers, the mountains, the breadfruit and palm trees. The sunlight and the ocean. It is beyond beautiful. I feel so at home, like I’ve taken off an old skin and put on a new one for the next round of adventures. It's so easy to go offline and relax here in the Islands. Even my lack of sleep is not enough to dull my senses, perhaps it’s heightened them! I’ve always wanted to come to the Cook Islands to explore and learn more about their weaving and tivaevae so it’s a dream that I am here. What I could not have imagined is be
What a journey! And we're just getting started. Last Wednesday 24 March, a partnership was launched between the GC2018 Arts and Cultural Program and the One Million Stars to End Violence project. I got to teach Minister Stirling Hinchliffe (Minister for Transport and Commonwealth Games) and Minister Shannon Fentiman (Minister for the Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence) how to be a #starweaver and they were awesome! (Loved how Minister Hinchliffe suggested star weaving in Parliament!) Thanks to the GC2018 arts and cultural program, I am being supported to travel to Commonwealth nations such as the Cook Islands, Samoa, England, Ireland and Canada to share the One Million Stars project
